In May of 1856 the General Police Act of 1850 was adopted by the inhabitants of the Burgh of Maryhill. A quick succession of meetings followed to establish the new police force for the Burgh, no doubt in great part a response to the miners' strike in the district. By the end of April, there were about 300 men working and 2,000 men on strike in Maryhill and, by the middle of May, all of these men were on strike. The strike brought rise to various disturbances that put a strain on the police in the surrounding areas. On 28th April, in connection with the works in the vicinity of Maryhill, a posse of men engaged in carrying out the strike visited early on the Monday morning, and prevented miners from working at the establishments not closed. The Glasgow City Police were under orders to detect all beggars, in particular miners, soliciting assistance. The agitation brought out detachments of Edinburgh City Police and a company of dragoons in the Falkirk and Redding districts and the Glasgow Yeomanry Cavalry marched to Airdrie on 28th April to put down any attempt at a disturbance.

In the midst of the unrest, a statutory meeting was called by the Sheriff of Lanarkshire and held on 06th June to appoint six commissioners to carry out the purposes of the General Police Act of 1850 at Maryhill. An advert was placed on 10 June for a Superintendent of Police which resulted in a large number of candidates submitting their experience, qualifications, and testimonials in consideration for the position. A meeting of the Magistrates and Commissioners for the Burgh of Maryhill followed on 19th June to consider the applicants for Superintendent of Police. Of the many candidates, Mr George Anderson was appointed to the situation, entering on his duties on